Season ends just short of state tournament for Benninghofen

An early case of nerves derailed Avon’s Ava Benninghofen as she competed in the Division I district bowling tournament Monday at Rebman Recreation in Lorain.

The senior was making her first appearance on the district level, and her inexperience was apparent, as she opened her three-game series with a 115. The struggles continued in the first few frames of the second game before she found her groove, finishing with a score of 151. In the third game, Benninghofen had eight marks—four strikes and four spares—on her way to a 175. Her 441 series placed her 71st out of the 94 individuals who competed.

“It was an amazing experience,” she said. “I’m so glad I was able to be here and do this, but I was a little disappointed in my first two games. But in the third, I was proud with how I picked myself up.”

When asked if her nerves were an issue, Benninghofen answered without hesitation, “100 percent. I just kept trying to not let it get to me. It definitely got to me the first game and a little bit in the second game. Then I was just like, ‘It’s just bowling. I’ll be able to do it.’ And I got it.”

Benninghofen is in just her second year of competitive bowling, but she plans to continue next year as a member of the club team at Bowling Green State University.

“I think that this helps me determine that I’m going to be a lot better in years to come, since I’m able to experience this so early,” she said.

Coach Robin McQuaid added, “Today was all bonus bowling and it was the highest caliber you can get, just one level under state. For her to be here was a great experience. Just to see the progress that she’s made in the short two years that she’s been with us, it’s been great.”